South Philly

My date’s stats: Blog: Claire Folkman: A Web Comic Age: Started blogging in September 2008. Likes: Beef, noodle soup, word bubbles, young love. Dislikes: Superheros. Little Known Fact: Ms. Folkman is a vociferous reader of dime-store romance novels. She likes them for the happy endings. Favorite Cheap Date: Free Student Recitals at the Curtis Institute Claire Folkman is a self-described mid-twenties art hipster who writes an autobiographical comic about a mid-twenties art hipster named Claire Folkman. But that is by no means all. She is also a conceptual artist, a memoir comic web-blogger, and a most charming date. She has an art show coming up May 6-July 7, 2011 at the DCCA in Wilmington (accessible by SEPTA!) featuring her captivating video work that transforms life’s absurdities into one profound comic strip (or transforms life’s profundities into one absurd comic strip). Meanwhile her blog contains wry and insightful comics, reflections on art school classes…

First Oriental is a full-service grocery store at 6th and Washington streets, but in addition to its wide selection of ordinary foodstuffs, it also stocks tons of fascinating products that you can’t find in the average supermarket: lychee, jackfruit and other exotic produce, every kind of rice and noodle imaginable, an entire aisle of imported candies and cookies, quail eggs by the dozen, vats of seaweed crusted with salt, tripe, pig’s feet, frogs, eels, frozen fish (whole), and dozens of varieties of dumplings, fish balls, gyoza, and shumai. In other words, it makes shopping for a dinner date into an adventure of its own. How cheap we talkin’: $10-$15 per person. Our total came to roughly $20, which included frozen dumplings, ingredients for noodle soup, and dessert. Why this will impress your date: Did I mention the live frogs? The Inside Game: Buy at least one thing you’ve never seen/eaten/cooked with before. Part…

Come summertime, it seems like every Philadelphia neighborhood throws down block party style with a neighborhood festival or street fair. Providing a full day of live music to listen to, vendors’ wares to peruse, yummy treats to try, and in most cases, green space to camp out on, these events make great dates because there’s a lot to see, a lot to do, and a little something for everybody. How cheap we talkin’: FREE plus the (optional) cost of food, which could be very little, but could run you up to the budget if you decide you just have to get ice cream, and kettle corn, and funnel cake… Why this will impress your date: Because you also look good in daylight. The Inside Game: Bring your own water. Bottled water will be overpriced, and you could spend your whole day in line for it. Also, take public transportation or…

On the first warm evening of the spring this year, my date and I were looking to do something outdoors. We also wanted a drink, but the bars in my neighborhood had yet to put any tables outside. So we decided to make our own drinks and take them on a walk. Obviously, this date could work with any number of libations, but what’s more fun to make when you are thinking ahead to summer than a cold, delicious smoothie? (Alcohol not required, but recommended). How cheap we talkin’: Approximately $8- $13 pp, depending mostly on the quality and quantity of the alcohol you invest in. A small (6oz. ) bottle of vodka runs $6-15, Sherbert is $2-3, Frozen fruit is $3-4, as is juice. Why this will impress your date: You knowledge of the romantic park benches in your neighborhood will be much appreciated, especially post-smoothie. Next date: Anytime!…